Mirror frame 1738 - 1750

This silver-gilt mirror frame was crafted by Johann Valentin Gevers in Augsburg, Germany, likely in the early 18th century. The frame is adorned with scrolling foliage and stylized shells, motifs prevalent throughout Baroque art. The shell, an ancient symbol of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, has long been associated with femininity and sensuality. Its appearance here speaks to the mirror's function as an object of adornment. The mirror, therefore, reflects not only physical appearance but also the cultural values projected onto it. The inclusion of shells and floral patterns, motifs linked to growth and transformation, evokes a deeper understanding of the continuous cycle of self-reflection and reinvention that transcends specific eras or styles, reminding us of the power of symbols to engage with the human psyche.